Explosive gas-turbine engine.



J. BROWN.

EXPLOSIYE GAS TURBINE ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED 8EPT.12, 1910.

990,222. Patented Apr. 25, 1911.

vs sums-9111:1111,

Y fl 27263 6.6-6

his ittorneyai r 1. BROWN. EXPLOSIVE GAS TURBINE ENGINE.

Patented Apr. 25, 1911.

a sums-1111112 2L APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12; 1910.

cfa Zz'u's Brawn By his clitorne J Wa'iizesaes J BROWN.

'EXPLOSIVE GAS TURBINE ENGINE,

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12 1910.

Patented Apr. 25, 1911'.

a mum's-sum a.

w lnuc'nhr: Julius Brown,

int/leases JULIUS BROWN, OF PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK.

EXPL OSIVE GAS-TURBINE ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1911.

Application filed September 12, 1910. SeriaINo. 581,595.

posed of a series of rotary members connected together in two sets whichsets are constructed for rotation in opposite directions; and to havethe explosive force applied alternately to either set, whereby reversalof the engine is effected.

A further object is to provide an explosion chamber common to all of therotors, having a valve arranged to control passages leading to the.sets, alternately, so that the explosion in the chamber willcauserotation of one set in one direction. or of the other set in theopposite direction.

A further object is to provide a second explosion chamber whereinprimary ignition takes place, and thereupon a valve is .oper-. ated bythe engine to open a passage into the main explosion chamber, wherebythe exploded charge in the,prin .ar v ignition chamber will causeconibustion of the gases in the main explosion chamber.

A further objectis to provide means controlling the valve device leadingfrom ,the main explosion chamber to the rotors with the valve leadingfrom the ignition chamber to the explosion chamber, which valves arecontrolled by the rotation of the rotors to be properly timed.

Another object isto provide an adjusting device whereby the operation ofthe main valve from the explosion chamber to the ro ior's from theoperation of the rotors can be changed to effect reversal of the engine:and

such device includes means whereby the opcration of the valve leadingfrom the ignition chamber to the explosion chamber will be precisely thesame notwithstanding this reversal of the mam valve.

In the accompanying drawings representing one embodiment of myinvention, Figurt 1 shows the invention in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an.end view. Fig. 3' is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig.4.Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is asection on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detailed view enlarged,showing the cam device for operating one valve; and Fig. 7 shows theother valve controlling means. y

The invention is shown as comprising a body member B having two sets ofcylindrical chambers, in which are mounted rtor members 1, 2.3, 4, andG. These rotors are provided with pinions 7 7 etc., on shafts 8, 8,etc., projecting from each rotor, which pinions all. mesh with a gear 9,fast on a short shaft 10; whereby power from the rotors is'appliecl tothe shaft, from which the power of the engine is taken. This means thatthe rotors must all rotate in the same direction, either one way or theother. The

specific construction of these rotors forms no part of the presentinvention. but it is suiticient to state that each comprises blademembers 100 having the passages 11 therebetween, thebladcmembers beingsecured to the shafts 8. The blade members are tubular and at its boreeach has a stationary circular direction, and these rotors have in letpassages 14, 15 and 16 leading to a centhe frame member. The other threerotors 2, 4, and 6. it will be seen have their blades extending in.theopposite circular direction, to that of said rotors. and these rotorsare. connected with the explosion chamber 17, by passages '18, 19 and20, respectively. These rotors are provided with exhaust passages l 2.3, 4 5 and G on the opposite sides ofthe rotors fromthe inlet passages,the pressure fluid passing across the rotors by means of a passage 13 ineach of the central plug members 12 on the rotors. These exhaustpassages lead around through the frame toward the (explosion chamber andthen extend lengthwise as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 4, tomufl'ler 23.

In chamber 17 is a tubular valve member 24 having three ports 25, 26 and27. Upon swinging this valve member these three ports, in one positionwill register with the three inlets 14, 15 and 16; for the rotors 1, 3and 5; while in another position of this valve its said three ports willregister with the inlet ports 18, 19 and 20, leading to the other threerotors 2, 4- and 6 respectively.

And in an intermediate position of the valve member all of these inletports willbe cut off from the explosion chamber. Hence it tralcombustion chamber 17. atthe center of will be seen that this valve canbe rocked from said intermediate position to open one set of ports andthen rocked back to this position, whereby the three rotors will besupplied with fluid and the engine operated While when the valve is] inone direction.

I rocked from the intermediate position in the be connected foroperation.

tubular valve, the engine can be reversed;

main shaft 10.

either set of rotors being supplied with fluid and the other cut off.Means are provided for oscillating this valve member in either of saidtwo paths automatically from the In the construction shown, a shaft 28is driven by a chain 29 from the main shaft 10. A cam shaft 30 supportedon the frame carries a cam 31, shown enlarged in Fig. 6. This camengaggs an arm 32 adjustably connected with the shaft 33 projecting fromthe valve member 24. Connected wit-h the cam 31 is a gear 34 that issuitably rotated from the shaft 28. As

shown an arm 35 swings on the shaft 28 and carries a gear 36 mcshlngwith the gear 34 in one position of the arm.

chain 37'passes around a sprocket 38 connected with the gear 36, andalso around a sprocket 39 fast on the shaft 38; by which means the gear36'is rotated that will cause circular direction, This revolution of thecam 31. This will intermittently engage the arm 32 tooscillate the valvemember 17. According to the position the arm 32, is adjusted on theshaft carber, engages with a notch 42 or a notch 43 on the sleeve 44,that carries the arm 32.

When the latch engages one of these notches the valve will be swung tocause one set of inlet passages to connect the explosion chamber withthree-of the rotors turning in one direction; and when the latch isshifted to engage the other notch, the valve member will be shiftedwhereby the engagement of the cam with the arm will swing the valve tocontrol the admission to the other three rotors; that as understood willcause rotation in the opposite direction. But when this member isshifted, the main shaft 10 will be caused to rotate in the oppositedircction. This would result in the cam membcri31 rotating in theopposite direction, and being unsymmetrical, the swinging of the valvcmcmber would not be the same. Therefore, it is advisable to cause areversal of the operation of this valvemember,

whereby it will still operate in the same is effected by swinging thearm 35, carrying the gear 36 that drives the cam gear, whereby gear 36 Asprocket Tn the construction shown, a

is shifted. out of mesh with the gear 34 and a gear 45 carried by thearm 35 in mesh with the gear 36, is brought into engagement with thegear 34, and the gear 36' shifted out of mesh with the gear 34 This willcause a reversal of the gear 34. But the shaft 28 having beenalsoireversed, this'doublc reversal will cause, the'gear 34 and the camto rotate in the same direction as before.

Connected with the main explosion chamber 17 is a second explosionchamber or a primary ignition chamber, of less capacity than tlieexplosion-chamber, whose functionis to receive compressed gas, cause"ignition thereof and immediately thereupon, dis charge the same into theexplosion chamber directly connected therewith, whereby the explosion inthe ignition chamber will cause compression of a] charge in theexplosion chamber, previously admitted therein that will be exploded bythe hot gases from the primary ignition chamber. These 'two' explosionchambers may be. connectedv with different sources of gas supply, suchas car- -bureters.

The frame B is provided'with an exten-' sion B cylindrical in shape as.shown best in Figs. 4 and 5.. The outer end of this chamber is closed bya head 50 having 'a cylindrical chambered member'51 projecting into thechamber B with its inner .end 52'closed. This chamber 51 also extendsout beyond chamber 13 and at the outer end is closed by a head 54. Inthis chamber 51, which constitutes the second explosion chamher, butwhich'maybe termed the ignition chamber proper, is a port 55 throughwhich the gases can pass when opened, to the annular chamber 56surrounding the chamber, member 51, and communicating directly with theexplosion chamber 17 at the center of the body member. This port 55is'cons trolled by a tubular valve member 57 having a port 5S that whenthe valve is swung on its axis will register with the port 55.

The valve member 57 is secured to a sleeve.-

68 loose on shaft.33. These valves-are so operated relatively that theport through the valve 57 opens into the main explosion chamber 17,immediately after ignition in the second explosion chamber, to causeigni-i tion in the main explosion chamber, and-at the same time-thevalve 17 is swung to communicate with the three rotors, permitting thecharge to act on these members.

The ignition means forms no part of the present invention, but a sparkplug 59 is indicated in the main ignition chamber. The primary ignitionchamber is shown provided with an inlet pipe 60. controls the admissionfrom an inlet .pipe 63 that may connect with a mixer or compressor forproviding the charge of explosivegas under pressure which-valve may becontrolled by the said valve operating A valx e 62 v the cam is rotated.The valve .member 57 is rocked through its sleeve 68 by means of a cam69 fast on-the sleeve, that engages lugs 70 and? 1 on a cam member 72.The latter is fast on the spindle that carries the cam 31. These lugscause two operations of thevalve member to open the port 58. The inletpipe 73 forthe explosion chamber portion 56 is controlled by a valve 74.On this latter is an arm'75 connected to a rod 76 guided in a bracket 77 carried by i the machine. A lug 78 on the arm 76 is engagedby :1 lug79 on the shaft 30. I It will be seen that the three valve members arecontrolled from this spindle or shaft 30.

The operation of the device is as follows: After an explosion, duringwhich the valve member 24 is held with the three ports open to three ofthe rotors, and at which time the valve 57 is open from the ignitionchamber to the explosion chamber, the valve 62 that has been closed atthe time of the ignition, is now opened by the operation of the rod 64and a compressed charge enters the primary ignition chamber through theinlet 60. This will serve to 'drive out the exploded gases in theprimary ignition chamber into the combustion chamber 17, and from thelatter through its three ports to the three rotors, which latter willhave a. certain amount of exhaustive action tending to drive out thesegases. -But'as soon as the new charge'displaces the old charge in theprimary chamber the valve 57 is swung by the lug 71 on the cam engagingthe crank.

member 69. This will prevent escape of the compressed charge that willnow fill this primary chamber under pressure. Just as soon as the valve57 closes, the .inlet valve 7 4: for. the chamber 56 is opened and acharge admitted that will serve to-drive out all of the exploded gas inthe chamber 56; which valve is then closed, by thesaid arm 75 and rod76.. This Will cause a fresh charge to be in both the explosion chamberand the primary ignition chamber. The valve 62 thereupon closing, orhaving closed as soon as a charge is compressed in the primary chamber,the ignition device is operated to cause an explosion in this primarychamber. At the instant that this explosion takes place 'the valve 57 isagain opened by the second lug and the exploded charge'will enter thesurrounding chamber 56 connecting with the explosion chamber 17, andcause anexplo-Y sion of the large charge therein. And at this instantthe valve 24 that was closed shortlyafter the valve 74, opened to admita charge to drive out-and replace the exhaust gas in chambers 56 and 17.The exploded charge in both of the chambers will now find exit throughthree ports leadin to three of the rotors, according to the ad ustmentof the valve member controlling the direction of rotation, and thesethree rotors will receive a charge of gas under high pressure that willcause them to rotate.

Instead of having the six rotors continuously connected to thedrivengear wheel 9,

means may be provided for disconnecting either set of three thatareinactive or not supplied with fluid pressure. In Fig. 8, three of theshafts 8 have ratchet wheels 81 loose thereon that are engaged by a pawl83 pivoted on an arm 82 fast on the shaft 8. A spring 84 normallypresses the pawls against a ratchet wheel, but they may be withdrawn bypressure on a heel 85, and a pin 86 inserted inthe arm to hold the pawlsout of engagement with the ratchet wheels. The other three shaftsareshown in Fig. 9 as having ratchet Wheels 81 carried by arms 82 fastonthe shafts. The pawls may be shifted by heels 85 against pressure ofspring 84 for insertion of a pin'similar to the pin 86. By this meansthree of the- 1. In an explosive engine, the combination of a memberdriven by an explosive charge,

an explosion chamber, a second explosion chamber arranged adjacent saidexplosion chamber and having a port connecting therewith, a valvecontrolling said port, a gas supply pipe for each of the explosionchambers, means of ignition in the second explosion chamber, meansconnected with the driven anembr' for operating both 'said valveswhereby a charge exploded in the second ignition chamber is admitted tothefirst ignition chamber to explode a charge therein and the valve fromthe first ignition chamber is operated to permit the charge exploded inthe main ignition chamber to act on the said driving member. v

2. In an explqsive engine, the combination of a body member having amember driven by an exploded charge, a second member driven by anexploded'charge in a direction the opposite to said member. an explosionchamber in the body, ports from the explosion chamber to the saidmembers, a valve 'member in the explosion chamber arranged .to cont-r01the ports leading therefrom to the said driven members, said valvemember being arranged to alternately connect with the two said sets ofdriving members whereto cause the operation of the one or the other, asecond explosionchamber arranged adjacent said explosion chamber andhaving a port connecting with said chamber, a valve member controllingsaidlatter port, a gas supply pipe for each of the explosion chamtheignition chamber valve, and a cam on. bers, means of ignition in thesecondcxplosaid spindle en aging saidlatte-r arm twice sion chamber,means operatively connected in each revolution of. the shaft, meansconwith the drivenmembers for operating both nected with the drivenmember for rotating 6 said valve members whereby a charge exthe camshaft. 1 v 70 plodcd in the second ignition chamber is ad- 5. In anexplosive engine, the combination mitted to the first ignition chamberto exof a body member having a member driven plode a charge therein, andthe valve from 'by an explosive charge, a second member the firstignition chamber is operated to perdriven by an explosive charge in a drection wit the charge exploded'in themain ignition the opposite to-thcsaid. member, an exploT 75 chamber to act on the driven members. sionchamberin the body, the'body having 3. In an explosive engine, thecombination ports connecting the explosion chamber with of a body memberhaving a member driven both said members, a valve member in the by anexploded charge, a second member explosion chamber arranged tocontrol-said driven by an exploded charge in a direction ports toalternately connectv with the two 80 the opposite to said member, anexplosion said driven members whereby vto cause the chamber in the body,ports from the explooperation of the one or the other, and re-' sionchamber to the said members, a valve verse the engine, a driving member,means. member in the explosion chamber arranged connecting said drivenmembers with the to control the ports leading therefrom to drivingmember whereby the latter is driven the said driven members, said valvemember in either direction according to which said. being arrangedtoalternately connect with members are supplied with fluid pressure thetwo said sets of driving members wherethrough the action of the valvemember, the by to cause the operation of the one or the said valve inthe main explosion chamber 2 other, a second explosion chamber arrangedbeing of tubular formand mounted to oscil- 90 adjacent said explosionchamberand havlate, a second explosion chamber having a ing a portconnecting with said chamber, a port connnunicating with the mainexplosion valve member controlling said latterport, a chamber, a valvemounted to oscillate in the gas supply pipe for each of the explosionsecondignitionchamber,a shaftonwhich said chambers, means of ignition inthe second first valve is secured, an arm connected to.'. explosionchamber, means operatively consaid shaft, a spindle mounted to rotate,,a nccted with the driven members for operatcam on the spindle arrangedto engage said ing both said valve members whereby a arm and oscillatethe shaft and valve, an charge exploded in the second ignition armconnected with the ignition chamber chamber is admitted to the firstignition valve, and a cam on said spindle engaging chamber to explode acharge therein, and said latter arm twice in each revolution of thevalve from the first ignition chamber is the shaft, means connectedwith, the driven operated to permit the charge exploded in members forrotating the-camspindle, said the main ignition chamber to act on the'arm on the valve shaft being adjustable.

0 driven members, shifting means for the valve whereby the camwillshit't the valve to con- 0 from the main explosion chamber to therotrol the ports to eitherdriven members ac tors whereby the valve NVlllcontrol the ports cording to the position shifted to reverse the leadingto either set of rotors at will to reengine, and means connected withsaid shiftversc the engine, said valve operating means able arm to causea reversal of. theinovement for the second combustion chamber beingimparted to the camshaft from the driven 110 connected with thereversing means wheremembers, whereby the cam shaft always roby thereversal ofthe. main valve .will cause tates. in the same directionnotwithstanding it to be operated in the same manner as bereversal ofthe driven members. i fore reversal. 6. In an explosive engine, thecombination 4. In an explosive engine, the combination of a body memberhaving a series of cylinof a member driven'by an explosive charge,drical chambers, rotors rotatable in said an explosion chamber in thebody, a port chambers, the body having an .explosion' connecting theexplosion chamber with the a b and P c e ng the explosion said drivenmember, a. valve member in'the chamber with the said chambers containingxplosion chamber arrangedto control said the rotors, a valve member inthe explosion ports, the said valve being of tabular form chamberarranged to control the ports lead v and mounted to oscillate, a secondexplosion ing therefrom to the said rotors, exhaust chamber having aport communicating with ports for the rotorsin the body, the bodymemthemain explosion chamber, a tubular valve her having a second set. ofcylindrical chammounted to oscillate in the second ignition 'bers,rotors in the latter chambers arranged to chamber, a shaft on which saidfirst valve is rotate in a direction theopposite of the rotasecurcd, anarm connected to said shaft, a tion of said rotors, the body-havingports spindle mounted to rotate, a cam on theleading from the explosionchamber to the 5 spindle arranged to engage said arm and said secondsetof rotors, said valve member" oscillate the shaft, an arm connectedwith being arranged to alternately connect the 3 for each of theexplosion chambers, means ofv ignition in the second explosion chamber,means connected with the rotors for operating both said valve memberswhereby a charge exploded in the second-ignition chamber is admitted tothe first ignition chamber to explode acharge therein, and

the 'alve from the first ignition chamber is operated to permit thecharge exploded in the main ignition chamber to act on the rotors.

7. In an explosive engine, the combination of a body member having aseries of cylindrical chambers, rotors rotatable in said chambers,- anexplosion chamber in the body,

the body having ports connecting the explosion chamber with the saidchambers containing the rotors, a valve in the explosion chamberarranged to control the ports leading therefrom to the said rotors.exhaust ports for the rotors in the body, the body mem-' her having asecond set of cylindrical chambers, rotors in the latter chambersarranged to rotate in a direction the opposite of the rotation of saidrotors, the body having ports leading from the explosion chamber to thesaid second set of rotors. said alve being arranged to alternatelyconnect the explosion chamber with the two said sets of rotors ,wherebyto cause the rotation of the one or the other set, a driving member,means connecting all of said rotors with the driving member whereby thelatter is driven in either direction according to which set of rotorsare supplied through the action of the valve member, a second explosionchamber arranged adjacent said explosion chamber and having a portconnecting with such chamber, a valve controlling said port, a as supplypipe for each of the explosion cham-' bers, means of ignition in thesecond explosion chamber, means connected with the rotors for operatingsaid valves whercby a charge exploded inthe second ignition chamber isadmitted to the first ignition chamber to explode a charge therein. andthe valve from the first ignition chamber is operated to permit thecharge exploded inthe main ignition chamber to act on the rotors,shifting means for the valve from the main explosion chamber to therotors whereby the valve will control the ports leading to either set ofrotors at will to reverse the engine, said valve for the second ignitionchamber being connected with the reverslng means whereby the reversal ofthe mailr valve will cause it to be operated in the same manner asbefore reversal.

8. In an explosive engine, the combination of amember driven by anexplosive charge, an explosion chamber, a second explosion chamberhaving a port connecting with said explosion chamber, a valvecontrolling said port, a gas supply pipe for each Y of the explosionchambers, 21.

valve in each of said latter pipes, means of ignition in the secondexplosion chamber, operative means connected wit-h the driven member foreach of said fourvalves and being constructed and timed wherebyimmediately upon the explosion in the ignition chamberits valve isopened permitting the exploded gas to enter the first said explosionchamber and explode a charge therein. and at the same time the valve inthe latterexplosion chamber is opened permitting the exploded gastherein to act on the driven member, thereupon the inlet valve for thesecond explosion chamber is opened to permit admission of a charge todrive out the exhaustgas therein, and thereupon the outlet valve for thesecond exploslon chamber is closed and also the inlet valve therefor,thereupon the inlet valve for the first ignition chamber is openedpern'iit'ting admission of a charge to drive out the exhaust gas fromthe first explosion chamber and thereupon the outlet valve for the firstexplosionchamber leading to the driven member is closed and also thesaid inlet valve for this chamber.

9. In an explosive engine, the combination of a member driven by anexplosive charge, an explosion chamber, a. second explosion chamberhaving a port connecting gas to enter the first said explosion cha1nherand explode a charge therein, and at the same time the valve in thelatter explosion chamber is opened permitting the exploded gas thereinto act on the-driven member, thereupon the inlet valve for the secondexplosion chamber is opened to permit admission of a charge to drive outthe exhaust gas therein, and thereupon the outlet valve for the secondexplosion chamber is closed and also the inlet valve therefor, thereuponthe inlet valve for the first ignition chamber is opened permitting adchamber with the said chambers containing mission of a charge to driveout the exhaust gas from the first explosion chamber and thereupon theoutlet valve for the first explosion chamber leading to the driven mem--ber is closed and also the said inlet valve for this chamber, and asecond member driven by an explosive charge having a port connectingwith said first explosion chamber that is controlled by said valve inthe latter, the operating means for said latter valve being adjustableto cause it to admit the charge from the first explosion chamber toeither of said driven members without varying its "timed relation tosaid other three valves.

10. In an explosive engine, the combination of a body member having aseries of cylindrical chambers, rotors rotatable in said chambers, thebody having an explosion chamber and ports connecting the explosion therotors, a valve member in the explosion chamber arranged to control saidports, exhaust ports for the rotors in the body, the body member havinga second set of cylindrical chambers, rotors in the latter chambersarranged to rotate in a direction the opposite of the rotation of saidrotors, exhaust ports for the latter rotors, the body having portsleadin from the combustion chamber to the sai second set of rotors,

said valve member being arranged to alv ternately connect the two saidsets of rotors with the explosion chamber, whereby tov cause therotation of the one or the other set, a driving member, and meansconnecting tion of a body member having a series of cylindricalchambers, rotors rotatable insaid chambers, the body havin an explosionchamber and ports connecting the explosion chamber with the saidchambers containing the rotors, avalve member in theexplosion chamberarranged to. control said ports, exhaust ports for the rotors in thebody, the bod member having a second set of cylindrica chambers, rotorsin the latter chambers arran ed to rotate in a direction the opposite othe rotation of said rotors, exhaust ports for the latter rotors, thebody having ports leading from the combustlon chamber to the said secondset of rotors, said valve member being arranged to alternately connectthe two said sets of rotors with the explosion chamber, whereby to causethe rotation of the one or the other set, a driving member, and meansconnecting all of said rotors with the driving mem- Copies'of thispatent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingtheCommissioner of Yatents,

' Washington, D. 0.

